Champlung Sari Hotel

Surrounded by tropical gardens, this traditional two-story Balinese-style hotel is around 20 years old, and is looking a little tired in places. The hotel is best known for being a neighbor to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and therefore, the property has a constant stream of primate visitors looking for food. Many guests love watching the monkey’s antics, but they can be slightly aggressive and have been known to snatch things away from hotel guests. The hotel staff are always on-hand to chase them away if they become a nuisance, but there are signs around the property warning visitors not to leave personal belongings lying around. In fact, the restaurant has had to install wooden bars to stop the monkeys helping themselves to the breakfast buffet -- which some guests find has made the room rather dark and spoils the view. 

The hotel’s highlights are the two swimming pools, where guests often relax with a book, and its large tropical gardens, which make the property feel like an oasis of calm in the middle of hectic Ubud. Inside, the lobby is large and bright, with a terra-cotta colored tile floor, a vaulted wooden ceiling, and elegant sofas and armchairs made of curved wooden slats. Walls are painted plain white, and have large paintings of local scenery hung on them. There's also a large, intricately carved Balinese statue to the side of the reception desk. As the landscape is fairly hilly, there are lots of steps all around the property, making it difficult for anyone with mobility issues. The property has broad appeal, in part due to its reasonable rates -- expect to see everyone from couples and families to groups of friends.

The Champlung Sari Hotel is located right in downtown Ubud, a short walk from the famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. The road leading to the hotel can often be congested, but once inside, the property is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. There are a wide range of shops and restaurants in the surrounding streets, including many authentic Balinese and Indian establishments. Many of Ubud’s main attractions are a 10-minute walk away from the hotel, like the market, the palace, and the Museum Komaneka -- with this in mind, the hotel provides a free shuttle on request. The historic Hindu carvings at Goa Gajah cave are a 10-minute drive away as well. Ngurah Rai International Airport takes around an hour to reach by car. 

The 101 rooms at the Champlung Sari Hotel are available in a variety of categories, though the look is the same across the board. They have river, pool, or rice field views, which are quite nice in many cases, but interiors are fairly bland, and lacking in character. Decor consists of white walls, tan marble-tile floors, and plain brown bedspreads. Some have bright floral artwork that adds a splash of color to the wall, but most lack the Balinese touches like traditional wood carvings often seen in competing hotels. Furniture consists of handsome hardwood pieces, though guests should expect to see a bit of wear, and there are dated holdovers like retro electronic panels in some night stands. 

Rooms are spacious, light, and clean thoughout, and all have a furnished balcony or terrace. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, mini-fridges, safes, and a basic bathroom with shower/tub combos, or separate showers and bathtubs in higher-category rooms. There is a generous amount of counter space around the sinks. We did spot some mold, chipped caulking, and general upkeep that was necessary in some bathrooms.

A free buffet breakfast is available daily at the hotel's Kamani restaurant. It offers a decent selection of Western and Asian dishes, with stations for things like eggs and noodles, though some guests do choose to eat elsewhere for more variety. The Kamani is also open for lunch and dinner. Wanara restaurant which overlooks the garden and is open for lunch and dinner, as well as serving drinks at the bar. There is also the Mooloo Laba Cafe, which serves casual lunches and dinners. Room service is available during limited hours. 

The hotel has two outdoor swimming pools. They're lovely and surrounded by dark stone terraces with modern lounge chairs for seating. A spa offers massages plus facial and body treatments at a reasonable price. The on-site gift shop sells clothes and some beautiful hand-carved wooden animals, and for business guests there's a business center and meeting room. Free car parking is available on-site, and a free shuttle runs to the center of Ubud on request. The hotel also provide an airport shuttle for a surcharge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.